Any Hope with 2 yr. old Lab

[A5]

I have just recieved a two year old lab from my parents and was wondering if anyone has successfully trained a dog that isn't a puppy anymore to retrieve properly. The dog has not had any previous retrieval experience except the usual game of "fetch" in the yard. It is overall a bright dog but any help on this subject would be appreciated.

[jdbuckshot]

i don't think a dog is never to old. i have a 6 year old rat terrier i can train to do anything. and my lab is 1 1/2 trained her to shut doors yesterday!

[B3]

No, a dog is never too old to learn. If you go to the Retriever training forum you will see a header pic with Miriam Wade and Kate - a 9 YO Golden. If I am not mistaken she had the dog as a pet and then got interested in the dog games when the dog was 5. She and the dog are apparently pretty successful. I would start with a good book.Good luck,
Bill

[goosebruce]

hehe... not EXACTLY whut I heard.. sometimes folks stretch stuff a lil on the net.

You can teach an old dog new tricks. Its not easy on you, or the dog. be prepared to work twice as hard for half the progress. First things are first, make sure he likes to retreive, likes birds, and a proper introduction to gun fire all need to be there before you even start. Good luck. travis